Music charity chief executive and trustee charged with conspiracy to commit fraud

19 November 2013
by Chloe Stothart

Clayton Richards and Daniel O'Connell are among four people who will appear at Newport Magistrates Court (pictured), Gwent, in relation to the Life Music Foundation

Newport Magistrates Court

The chief executive of a south Wales music charity is one of four people who have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud at the organisation.

Clayton Richards, 37, from Cwmbran, Daniel O'Connell, 38, from Newport, Nikki O'Connell, 35, from Newport and Gareth Williams, 33, from Bridgend, have been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud in relation to the operation of the Newport-based charity the Life Music Foundation.

The charity’s website lists Richards as its chief executive and Daniel O’Connell as a trustee.

The four will appear at Newport Magistrates Court on 26 November.

The Charity Commission’s website says Life Music Foundation’s "primary aim is to fund and develop the music skills of primarily young disadvantaged people who have no means to pay themselves and offer young people the chance to get together and rehearse and record music in our future studios".

The charity’s accounts published on the commission’s website show it had an income of £19,410 and spent £20,371 in the year to 30 April 2012.

A spokeswoman for the commission said: "We have been aware of the ongoing investigation of Gwent Police into Life Music Foundation and are also aware of the recent arrests connected to the charity. The police are keeping us informed of developments and, once their criminal investigation is completed, we will then determine what, if any, regulatory concerns remain regarding the charity."

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